To be thinking of nice but cheaper ideas for Christmas

[Chocolateoo]

Usually I wouldn't be using this word in july! But due to no overtime we are going to struggle to spend as much on Christmas, so we have agreed to get bits weekly. We have quite a few kids/birthdays to buy for.... We want to get the kids a nice thoughtful gift around £10-£12. Then perhaps top it up with selection boxes. Usually we would spend £20-£25. So I'm wondering what ideas you have for the following people and ages. It doesn't have to be a toy. But something that is still nice for them to open...

Two six year old Nieces.

One eight year old niece.

A 2 year old nephew

A 14 year old nephew.

A two year olds birthday

Followed by two sets of grandparents

Sisters birthday Christmas Eve(40s)
Mums birthday (boxing day!)

My son's 3 Christmas week too.

I've also got two young children of my own who will get more ofcourse!

I really can't think how to spend less. Any ideas for any of the following please suggest.

I too was going to suggest a secret santa between the families, at least for the adults to cut down the amount you need to buy!

14yr old- would likely prefer a £10 note in a card!

I bought my niece a beautiful, pop up book from amazon- 'Alices adventures in Wonderland' by Robert Sabuda for about £13. They had other titles in the series too

Niece also likes crafty things and hair clips/headbands. They also like these squidgy/foam toys. Like a stress ball, but with different animals and shapes! Flying tiger do them fairly cheap, or online.

Grandparents: something personalised with grandkids pics on. Mugs, calendar for 2021? A family portrait with them in it, that you get enlarged and put into a frame? Are they into gardening? A nice food hamper you put together yourself? Get a basket from a charity shop and fill with goodies you buy as the year goes along.

Sister and/or mum- spa day, afternoon tea experience etc? Groupon often have deals.

We bought our great niece a T-shirt from Splat planet for her birthday with a few other bits . They can colour them in and then wash it out and do it again , very reasonably priced and seemed to go down well .

I dont think you need to spend 20-25 each eg children you sometimes get deals of 2 toys for under 20 which you could share out.
Likewise you could get a nice small gift for around 10 especially if you go to places that are doing 3 for 2.

For the younger ones who need toys scour the Tesco toy aisles to see what is reduced to clear. I popped in today and found three significantly reduced toys that I've put away for Christmas (or unexpected birthday parties).

Sorry to be more specific- sainsburys for toy sales. Mark's and Spencer's for 3 for 2 or boots and this could be toiletries candles etc

Loving the ideas thank you!

I will ask about the books

My dad grows veg and loves the garden. But I can't ever think what to get him. We got the kids to paint a bird box for him last year and he loved that.

My sister likes candles but my mum doesn't. I don't know why everyone in my family decides to be born Christmas week lol.

I’d go for Argos 2 for £15 for the younger ones- some cute ideas in there such as crawl though tunnels, playdough sets, big tubs of dinosaurs etc - all things my little would love. Tiger or Book people also great for slightly older ones as others have mentioned.

Gardening gift - there are some beautiful seed gift boxes on Amazon, called Magic Garden I think. But I think I'm going to compile my own 'multicolour French beans' packet as I reckon most of the price is the packaging, lovely though it is.

Also had good results with a personalised swimming towel- the 6 year olds? Useful for all sorts of reasons. But these were about £12-14.

Jars of cookie mix? You can buy plastic jars cheaply and you fill them with the dry ingredients for a batch of cookies, and attach the instructions on a label. The mix I use is: www.kraftwhatscooking.ca/recipe/super-chunk-oatmeal-cookie-mix-82913

Instead of chopped chocolate I use Smarties, M&Ms or chocolate buttons. (And depending on where you are alter Fahrenheit to Celsius). This makes for a thrifty gift of any age x

A grandads shed sign for the garden?
I second the galt crafty bits. Animal ark books are popular with my just turned 7year old God daughter. Also beanie boos and LOL stuff.
Voucher or money for teen.
My 2 year old DS likes play doh, chunky pens to colour with, stickle style bricks, any type of ball
My sons turning 8 next month and I'm really struggling!